Le Dome, St Emilion Grand Cru, 2022

Tasting Note:

Jonathan Maltus' flagship, Le Dome is perhaps the most Cabernet Franc dominant blend in Bordeaux (80% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot). Head winemaker, Neil Whyte is assisted by superstar consultant oenologist, Thomas Duclos. The person responsible for the fiche technique is still living in the past with a final harvest date of the 28th of October! A typo we are assured, they actually finished on the 28th of September. Whilst not the first in St Emilion, they are significantly earlier than they used to be, capturing ripe, fresh fruit characteristics. Now including the fruit from Les Astrieres, this leads with gentle notes of cedar, blackcurrants, violets and a hint of cocoa. There's an impressive core of dense, chewy fruit, with notes of cassis and liquorice. The tannins are much more refined here. They're still big and blocky, but they're ripe and loaded with dark berries and minerals.